And here I am back in one of my favorite regions of my belle France, this is deep Tarn dept 81 in region of Occitanie. I was doing my road warrior tours of the regions as I do every couple of years as cousins are around and came into this picturesque town. Therefore, let me tell you a bit more about this isGiroussens !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.
Giroussens sits above the Agout valley between Lavaur,Graulhet and Saint-Sulpice –la-Pointe at about 40 km from Toulouse. The village was originally located 1 km from its current location. We came from Graulhet as family cousins are there on the D681 road but you can come from Toulouse on the A68 (autoroute de pastels) and get off at the D2 to Giroussens.
Things to see in Giroussens, are the Jardin des Martels, founding plant and flora of all types in a huge park, considered one of the most beautiful in France. The place of making pottery for the kings of France and as far as Louisiana in the USA and Quebec in Canada. The original castle, Pech Mascou, built in the 13C. In 1437, the castle was a royal prison but it was set ablaze by the Protestants in 1562. A second castle, the Château de Belbèze, was built in 1640 . It is of square plan with four towers covered with pyramid roofs. It was ceded and sold eventually in the French revolution.
The Church of Saint-Salvi dates from the 14C, with a chapel dedicated to Sainte Rufine the patron sainte of potters. The Maison de la Ceramique Contemporain at Place Lucie-Bouniol is wonderful to see the different shades and shapes of ceramics.
And many of my information comes from the heritage foundation of Giroussens : https://patrimoine.giroussens81.fr/overlooking the Agout valley rememberance and meA bit of history I like tell us that a Gallo-Roman villa is located on the edge of the Agout river. It was occupied in the 5C by the Visigoths who left a necropolis (currently the Martels). The Lord Amalric de Lautrec erects Giroussens in Bastide, and from then on a city grows and thrives in the shelter of its ramparts. The Church of Saint-Salvi was rebuilt at the end of the 14C. In 1381, the Count of Foix-Béarn, Gaston Fébus, will defeat looters in the plain of Albi. Upon the death of the Count, Giroussens returned to the domain of king Charles VI. Then the city passed to Mathieu de Foix-Graillis by order of king Charles VII in 1425. Under Charles VIII, the estate returns to the Royal crown. But king Louis XIV ceded the lordship to François de Gélas, Viscount of Lautrec and Marquis of Ambers, in 1695. The village will remain in his descendants until the French revolution. The village is known for its production of painted terracotta and glazed lead from 1538. The museum of the neighboring Rabastens maintains a collection of more than a hundred dishes, plates, benitiers and stoves in glazed pottery originating from Giroussens.
The Tarn dept 81 tourist office on the village of Giroussens: https://www.tourisme-tarn.com/patrimoine-culturel/village-de-giroussens/
There you go folks, another dandy in the Tarn 81 and wonderful territory of many souvenirs, always looking forward to be back in these lands. A small village but loaded! Again, hope you have enjoy the post on this isGiroussens as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
I am a lover of travels to Europe , Americas , Africa and Asia as well ,who like to share my experiences of the last 53 years with the world, visiting so far 81 countries; living in 6, working in 5, and Citizen of 4, speaking fluently 4 languages. I can deal with sports especially football/soccer and love music, arts, wine collector/drinker, and go out to restaurants, and just visit the world.
My background comes all the way from Candelaria and Pajara in Tenerife, Spain where my grandparents came from ;not knowing each other then, to Punta Brava, west of Havana, Cuba. There , my parents born in Cuba met and later on I was born there too. 100% guanche (annexed Tenerife to Spain on April 10 ,1496). I left Cuba as many have to Madrid, Spain where I lived for 4 years. Then, move to Perth Amboy ,New Jersey USA (living there 13 yrs) ; where I completed high school, became a US Citizen, learned to drive a car, and learned English. Afterward, went to the university in Florida, ERAU, and upon graduation decided to moved there to Ormond by the Sea, near Daytona Beach, finally moving North Miami, then Hialeah, then another moved to Silver Lakes division in Miramar, Broward county, Florida; in Florida I lived a total of 18 years. Finally , moved to France in 2003 ,Versailles call me for its royalty, and working in Paris was great. It was time to seek frontiers again and moved to Brech near Auray, Morbihan in Brittany , and later move to not too far Pluvigner. Total so far in France has been 20 years, and counting.
Moving average a home every 5.5 years hopefully this will be my last. Cheers
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The Church of Saint-Salvi dates from the 14C, with a chapel dedicated to Sainte Rufine the patron sainte of potters. The Maison de la Ceramique Contemporain at Place Lucie-Bouniol is wonderful to see the different shades and shapes of ceramics.
And many of my information comes from the heritage foundation of Giroussens : https://patrimoine.giroussens81.fr/
Paris1972-Versailles2003 